Bilateral Scapular Fracture As Indirect Sign Of High Energy Trauma: Case Report
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rccot.2017.06.003Keywords:
scapula, fracture, bilateral, vertebral bodiesAbstract
The case is presented of a 25-year-old patient, who was a victim of a traffic accident, with an imaging finding compatible with bilateral scapula fracture without indication of surgical management. However, due to respiratory distress and suspicion of pulmonary contusion, further studies were performed using Computerized Angiography (CT angiography), observing fractures of the T3 and T4 vertebral bodies with invasion of the medullary canal, fracture of the sternum, and costal arches. It was decided to perform posterior instrumentation with corpectomy of T4, and the application of cylinder in that level. Bilateral scapular fractures are extremely rare, and may be traumatic (either direct or associated with electrocution), as well as secondary to epileptic seizures. The diagnosis of this condition should oblige the treating physician to rule out thoracic, abdominal and axial skeletal injuries that may be of greater importance for the functional prognosis of the patients, as mentioned in the case described.
Evidence level IV.
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